Aside from a Christmas tree, nothing says “holidays” like poinsettias. Poinsettias are a popular holiday flower for both decorating and giving as gifts. They also make nice houseplants all year long. You don’t have to throw them out with your tree when the holidays are over. If you care for them properly, there is no reason why you can’t keep them until next year. Keep reading to find out how to keep your poinsettia plant alive year-round.
Poinsettias are a classic holiday plant that bring cheer with their vibrant red, pink, or white bracts. While they’re ubiquitous in December, poinsettias don’t have to disappear as soon as the holidays are over. With proper care, these tropical beauties can thrive as houseplants all year long.
Follow this complete guide to keep your poinsettia going strong whether it’s the holidays or just another day. With the right growing conditions and a little attention, you can enjoy poinsettias in your home long after the decorations come down.
Choosing the Right Spot for Your Poinsettia
Poinsettias thrive in the warm humid conditions of their tropical native region. Recreate similar conditions at home by placing them in bright, warm spots away from drafts
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Bright, indirect light is ideal. East, west or south facing windows work well.
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Daytime temps between 65-75°F and 60-65°F at night are optimal.
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Keep away from heat vents or drafty areas that can dry the plant out.
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In summer, you can move poinsettias outdoors to a shady spot. Bring them in before temps drop below 50°F.
Proper lighting and temperatures are key to keeping poinsettias looking their best year-round. Monitor conditions and adjust as needed with season changes.
Watering Needs for Healthy Poinsettias
Perhaps the most important factor in poinsettia care is proper watering. They need consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Follow these tips:
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Check soil daily and water when the top inch becomes dry.
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Add enough water so it runs freely from the drainage holes.
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Dump out any water in the saucer so the plant isn’t sitting in it.
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Increase humidity by misting the leaves or using a pebble tray.
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Cut back on watering if leaves turn yellow (sign of overwatering).
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Watch for wilting, dropping leaves that indicate under-watering.
Get on a consistent watering schedule and modify as needed through the seasons. Poinsettias will let you know their needs!
Feeding Your Poinsettias for Optimal Growth
Fertilizing is key to keeping poinsettias thriving beyond the holidays. Feed them with a balanced, all-purpose plant food:
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Begin fertilizing after bloom period when you see new growth emerge.
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Use a 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer diluted to half strength.
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Apply according to label directions every 2-3 weeks during active growth.
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Discontinue feeding during colorful bloom period in winter.
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Resume fertilizing when blooms fade and new leaves appear.
Proper fertilization ensures poinsettias get nutrients they need all year. Just avoid overfeeding which can cause leggy, weak growth.
Pruning for a Fuller, More Compact Plant
In the wild, poinsettias grow into large, sprawling shrubs. Pruning keeps houseplant poinsettias full and compact.
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In early spring, cut all stems back to 6 inches. This promotes bushy regrowth.
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In early summer, trim 2-3 inches off the tips of each stem.
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Always sterilize pruners between cuts to avoid spreading disease.
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Wear gloves and avoid sap contact, as it can irritate skin.
Timely pruning encourages the ideal poinsettia form for an attractive houseplant. Never prune late in the year, as this removes cold protection.
Repotting for Continued Health
Repot poinsettias each spring at the same time you prune:
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Choose a container one size larger than the current pot.
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Use a well-draining potting mix, not heavy garden soil.
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Gently loosen and remove the rootball from the old pot.
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Place in the new container and fill around roots with mix.
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Water well after repotting to settle the roots.
Repotting prevents the roots from becoming crowded and provides fresh growing mix.
Forcing Poinsettias to Bloom
Getting poinsettias to change color again requires some trickery. Starting in fall, give them:
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Complete darkness for 14-16 hours every night.
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Bright light for 8-10 hours during the daytime.
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Continue this short day/long night treatment for 8-10 weeks.
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When color shows, resume normal lighting conditions.
This mimics the natural shift to shorter days that initiates flowering in poinsettias. Be diligent with the lighting regimen for the best color.
Troubleshooting Common Poinsettia Problems
Watch for these signs of stress and make the appropriate care adjustments:
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Dropping leaves – Usually from under or overwatering. Modify watering frequency.
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Yellow leaves – Overwatering. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings.
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Pale, small leaves – Insufficient light. Move to a brighter location.
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Leggy growth – Not enough pruning or too much fertilizer. Cut back and reduce feeding.
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Wilting – Can indicate underwatering, pests, or root rot from wet soil. Improve drainage.
Tips for Happy Poinsettias All Year Long
Follow these best practices for healthy, thriving poinsettias 365 days a year:
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Provide bright, indirect light and warm temperatures.
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Water thoroughly when soil dries out, but don’t oversaturate it.
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Fertilize regularly with a balanced plant food during growth periods.
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Prune in spring and summer for compact, full plants.
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Repot annually in fresh, well-draining potting mix.
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Manipulate lighting to trigger blooms during the holidays.
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Address any signs of stress immediately by adjusting care.
With the right care, your holiday poinsettias can stay gorgeous long after the decorations come down. Just be diligent with their growing needs and you’ll be rewarded with these beauties all year long.
Step 4: Water Poinsettias Correctly
Learn how much water poinsettias need. A long-lasting poinsettia is watered properly. Poinsettias prefer humid conditions (they are native to Mexico and Central America, after all). If your home is very dry because of the weather or heating, you might want to use a spray bottle to mist your poinsettias every day. Keep the soil slightly dry as much as possible. Bear in mind that poinsettias may start to lose their leaves after a few days of not getting enough water. Check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil every couple of days. Add water when the soil is dry down to your first knuckle. Be sure not to let the plant’s roots stand in water at the bottom of the pot. Instead, put down a layer of pebbles to keep the plant from getting wet and make the air around it more humid.
Step 3: Keep Poinsettias in the Sun
Keep poinsettias near the sunniest window in your house so they get adequate light. Poinsettias like plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Don’t put them in direct sunlight, next to a heater, or near a drafty window because they don’t like it when it’s too hot or too cold. Temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees during the day and around 60 degrees at night will be ideal for growth to continue. Keeping the temperature constant 24 hours a day helps the plants thrive and decreases leaf shedding.
Poinsettias are not as dangerous as some people say they are, but like many plants, they can be slightly irritating to some people’s skin and stomach if they eat them. Keep pets and small children away from the plant to avoid unwanted contact.
How to Care For Poinsettias (And Make Them Bloom Next Year)
How to take care of a poinsettia all year?
To take care of a poinsettia all year, start by providing the right conditions: Overwatering and pooled water are very damaging to poinsettia. If you have bought a plant during the holidays, it probably has a festive plastic or foil wrap decorating the container. Remove this to avoid standing water and place the pot on a tray instead.
How do you keep a poinsettia growing?
The first important factor in keeping your poinsettia growing for the foreseeable future is where you acquired it and how it was handled. Most importantly, the plant must have been protected from cold temperatures and extreme temperature changes. Believe it or not, poinsettias are tropical plants.
Can you grow poinsettias year-round?
Let’s discuss whether you can grow poinsettias year-round. Yes, poinsettias can be grown year-round. Whether or not they can be grown outdoors or need to be kept as houseplants depends on your climate zone. They can be planted in the ground in zones 9-11, but in cooler climates, they will need to spend at least part of the year indoors.
How do you take care of a yellow Poinsettia?
When the bracts fall off or yellow, gradually withhold water so the soil’s no longer moist. But don’t let the soil go 100% dry. Water just enough to keep the stems from withering. Then move the poinsettia to a cool, dark area (50 to 60°F), dry, dark area until spring. In April or May, put the plant back in a sunny location.
